Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Pisonia alba Span. Leaves on Blood Glucose levels and Histological Changes in Tissues of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic rats

Summary: The ethanolic extract of Pisonia alba Span (Nyctaginaceae) (PAEt) was found to have antidiabetic activity that reduces blood sugar level in alloxan induced diabetic rats.  In this study, a 15 days antihyperglycemic effect of the two different doses (250 and 500 mg/kg b.w.p.o) of PAEt was investigated. Glibenclamide was used as a reference drug at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg b.w. Treatment of alloxan diabetic wistar rats with the extract caused a significant (P<0.01) reduction in the blood glucose levels when compared with control.   PAEt also showed significant lipid peroxide  scavenging in vitro, besides exhibiting significant activity in quenching 1,1-diphenyl-2 picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, thereby indicating its potent antioxidant effects.  Treatment with PAEt of the diabetic animals helped to maintain the body weight at near normal values and maintain the glucose levels of urine below 2% like glibenclamide.  Treatment with the ethanol extract of Pisonia alba Span  (Nyctaginaceae) (PAEt) was found to almost restore the normal histological architecture of the liver, kidney and pancreas of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Industrial relevance: Herbal medicines are getting more importance in the treatment of Diabetes mellitus and other ailments because of the hazardous adverse effects of the current therapy used to treat these ailments using synthetic drugs.  Diabetes can be controlled by allopathic medicine as well as herbal medicine.  In case of allopathic medicine, complete cure and tolerance are major problems.  Herbal medicine is free from side effects and less costly when compared to synthetic hypoglycemic agents.  Nowadays a lot of herbal formulations are available as tablets and other dosage forms.  The present study will help the industry to produce herbal drugs with fewer side effects, which are affordable and more effective in the treatment of Diabetes mellitus.